Mobile, AL Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- City license
- not required for cats
- Rabies vaccination due
- by 3 months old
- At-large ban
- applies to cats too
- Bite quarantine
- 10 consecutive days
Summary
Mobile does not require a city license for cats, but owners must keep cats from roaming at large and must have them vaccinated for rabies by three months of age.
It shall be unlawful for any person to allow any animal in his control or possession to go, stray or wander upon the public right-of-way or property of another person. An animal is running at large if it is not under control of the owner and is not: (1) Confined by an electronic collar system or within a fence, electronic fence system, wall, or other enclosure in such a manner so as to effectively prevent the animal from traveling onto the public right-of-way or property of another person.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 67).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 7's at-large ban covers 'any animal,' including cats: it is unlawful to let an animal stray onto the public right-of-way or another person's property unless it is confined by a fence, electronic fence, or similar enclosure. Cats must be vaccinated for rabies by three months old, with the owner presenting proof to Mobile Animal Services; a cat that bites a person or animal is subject to a 10-day veterinary quarantine. Unlike dogs, cats are not required to carry a city license tag. Sec. 7-7's licensing mandate applies only to dogs over three months old.
Violations & Fines
Letting a cat wander unconfined onto public right-of-way or a neighbor's property, or failing to vaccinate or quarantine a biting cat, is a municipal offense; animal control officers may impound the animal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to license my cat in Mobile, Alabama?
Can my cat roam free outside in Mobile?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Mobile
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